The Art of Marriage

"The Art Of Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson  Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things... It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

Beautiful words that are a good reminder that marriage is work and a work of art. So grateful to have a wonderful husband who is also my best friend! 

Potty Training

Potty training- my biggest parental fear.
I had been putting it off because my little one is very strong willed. Would I say he is a typical 3 year old? Yes, but with a little bit more spirit. On the other hand, I am a laid back parent. I know what you're thinking - he must walk all over me. He doesn't. I pick my battles carefully with him. Potty training was one battle I was putting off. But one day I decided that I was just going to get the job done!
My sweet friend sent me an ebook called, "The Three Day Potty Training Method." I read it and got freaked out! It sounded like a lot more work than I was ever wanting to do. (I just sounded super lazy just then, didn't I?) But, it had to be done. If you're not familiar with the method, here it is in a nutshell. Your little one wears nothing but undies. You are focused on him at all times, just waiting to catch him having an accident. No doing housework, "me" time or anything. You are attached at the hip to your child. When they do have an accident, you rush him to the potty. They eventually get the idea.
So on Monday, I began! Things were a little rocky at the beginning. Harrison did not want to put on the big boy undies. I had to show him that Spongebob wears tighty whities. That really sold him. I finally got him in them. Then we put all his animal friends in some.  There were accidents, but he was getting the idea. When Brian got home, he put some goldfish crackers in the potty. Harrison learned to pee standing up! He just needed his dad to teach him. Since then, things have been easy breezy.
He has done so good! I am amazed at how it has gone for him. I am so proud of my little guy. I sometimes still think of him as a baby. But I need to remember that he is 3 now and can do it! He hasn't had an accident since day 2! I also need to remember that I am pretty strong willed myself! I can do this. Heavenly Father has given us moms the patience, strength and love we need to raise our little ones. We practically have superpowers, am I right? Yes, yes, I am.
I am so thankful I get to be the mommy to this wonderful little person. He lights up my life. I look forward to all of the lessons we'll teach one another in the years to come.

Here he is with all his friends, in big boy undies!

My little shutterbug

Fact: Kids love to take pictures.

I was constantly wasting film in my parents' camera when I was a little girl. Luckily today we have digital cameras. No harm done.
Anytime chance he gets, Harrison takes as many pictures as he possibly can.
Here is some of his work. I call this collection, "Impressions of the dog".

And finally a self portrait of the photographer

It's been a while....

I can't believe that it's been such a long time since I posted! I'd like to tell you that I have been super busy doing fantastic, exciting things... but I would be lying. We've been up to the same old stuff. Truth is, I haven't posted because I didn't think anyone really paid attention to my little blog. But I decided that it's more important for me to post for myself. It's about recording memories of my little family. Life is about the journey. I need to make sure that I remember it.

Caterpillars

Harrison just loves bugs. He is always searching for some, but since it's still a little cold out we can't find any. So, for Easter, we got a live butterfly garden hatching kit. You get baby caterpillars and you get to watch them grow and then make their chrysalids and turn into butterflies. I have been more excited than Harrison to look at how much our caterpillars have grown each day. They actually grow quite a bit, I was surprised. I can't wait until they begin their transformation into butterflies. I'll keep ya posted. 

I am an Addict

I have a confession to make to all of you.... I am a nail polish addict.

I've always loved doing my nails... but my addiction has really escalated. Over the last few years, I have built up my stash of polishes.  Now every time a new line comes out, I think I need all of them. It reminds me of The Little Mermaid and her collection....

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has everything?.....

I've got purples and oranges a-plenty

I've got reds and pinks- galore

You want blues and greens?

I've got twenty

But who cares? No big deal. I want more

*Lyrics changed

That's how I feel about nail polish.  Here's my collection... I want more!

I change my nail color about once a week. I would totally do it more often if I wasn't chasing a two year old all day. I just love it! I like to change it with my mood. It's the perfect accessory that you can constantly change.
So, if you're ever sick of your polishes and want to try something new, or want color advice.... you know where to go!
I know what you're thinking, "How could this girl write an entire post on nail polish?" You can only understand if you're an addict.

Oh, and have you seen OPI's Spring/Summer collection, Holland? I love them all!

family

I am just so grateful for family. Brian and I are both so blessed to have amazing, supportive and loving families. They are always there for us, there is nothing they wouldn't do. We're so lucky to have these loving people in our lives. I just couldn't imagine life without them!

Midnight Kisses

The cutest thing happened last night.  I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, when I felt a few taps on my shoulder. Then Brian's hand turns my chin towards his face and he kissed me. I thought it was the sweetest thing.
I asked him about it today and he didn't remember it at all. He sleep kissed me! Some people sleep walk, Cameron on Modern Family sleep clowns, and my man sleep talks and kisses. He's sweet even when he is sleeping.
As I thought about this midnight kiss, I thought about how ingrained into each other's lives we are. We do everything for one another. Our lives have become one and we never hold back. It's true romance to love someone so much that you kiss them unconsciously. I love that our relationship grows stronger everyday.

I hope there are more sleep kisses to come.